As the film opens, the credits roll and horrifying masks appear in the background. The first scene begins with Henry involved in a sword fight with his son, John. After pinning John to the ground, Henry pulls him up and tells him that he's improving.

John runs off, and the scene turns to Alais singing and picnicking nearby. Henry joins Alais, and they discuss what will happen to the kingdom once Henry dies. Henry explains that everyone must know who his successor is before he dies so that his great country will be held together. Henry has decided that John is the rightful heir. Alais worries that she will lose Henry, but he reassures her of his love. She confronts him with the fact that he has loved others and that Eleanor, his queen, still lives locked in a castle at Sarum.